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October 23, 2010

Notes from the AL champions' clubhouse

Cliff Lee said before the ALDS that a trip to the World Series would make his decision on where to sign in the off-season easier. Now that the Rangers have accomplished that, returning seems more likely. "I would hope so," the left-hander said, before also saying that he's not too focused on that stuff. "Right now, I'm worried about giving this team a chance to win when I take the mound and us playing as a team and pulling for each other." Lee will start Game 1 of the World Series.

Nelson Cruz said that he gave Vladimir Guerrero a little pep talk in the fifth inning after the Yankees intentionally walked Josh Hamilton with two outs. "I went to him and said, 'Don't let them do that to you. Don't let them do that to you,' " Cruz recalled. Guerrero responded with a two-run double, and Cruz followed with a two-run homer. "I was so focused to hit the ball that I wasn’t even thinking," he said. "I was so happy and emotional, I can’t describe what was going on. I was flying. I don’t think my feet hit the ground the whole time."

Hamilton was the series MVP after hitting .350 with four homers and seven RBIs. He was walked intentionally three times in Game 6 and an ALCS-record five times in the series. "I'm so exicted for this team, for this city," Hamilton said. "You know, something that's never happened her before. So to be a part of something like that means the world."

The Rangers will take the day off today before returning to Rangers Ballpark for a noon workout Sunday. They will depart for either San Francisco or Philadelphia on Monday and work at the ballpark of the National League champs. The Giants lead the NLCS 3-2 with Game 6 set for Saturday night.